Waconia Brewing Opens in the Wild, Wild West

Comfortable and Rustic

If you consider yourself a taproom aficionado, the opening of Waconia Brewing and taproom in the west metro is like a ray of sunshine on an otherwise cloudy day.

“Approachable Brews from Approachable People” is what the Waconia Brewing Company website declares, and after trying their flights and chatting with owner Pete DeLange and Head Brewer Tom Schufman, I found both to be true.

The brewery “soft-opened” their 5,000 square foot facility on 10/22 and plan a 11/15 grand opening. The taproom is roomy (2500 sqft) and it greets patrons with a comfortable, rustic/cabin ambiance. The bar is prominent, sporting a polished cement top and 12 taps. Filling out the taproom are tables both high-top and chair-height, made from thick recovered and refinished wood with dark steel frames.

Made with sheetrock screws

There is some unique decoration. One wall, covered by barn wood, is adorned with the WBC logo. The logo is painstaking made of drywall screws. My favorite area has to be the working fireplace in the corner. The fireplace is completed with deep, padded chairs just crying out for guests to sit, chat, and enjoy.

Some of you are reading this thinking, “Waconia? That’s a long drive.” For some of the metropolitan population you might be correct. So I asked them, “Why here?”

“Thousands of Minnesotans travel every year to different surrounding states to get beer they cannot get in Minnesota. These people drive hundreds of miles in lieu of that elusive IPA or hard to get seasonal,” states Tom. “I’ve done it and have never complained about the drive or price of gas. So tell me, why don’t people do that more for Minnesota beer? What is the hoopla about the drive out to small town breweries including Waconia?”

He makes a good point. I’ve done a beercation or two and didn’t think about the distance.

“First off, the drive is nice! You can feel yourself relax once you are on your way. Secondly, it is becoming a destination for all types of craft drinkers. Besides our new brewery & taproom, we have 3 wineries and a craft distillery all within 5 miles of downtown Waconia. Rent a party bus or grab a sober ride and tour the rural west metro as there is something for everybody. All the bikers out there will love our trails too, there is tons to see!”

Once the grand opening is complete more Waconia Brewing events will be put on the brewery calendar. The events will be designed to educate, explore, and enjoy the beer and the local culture.

Tom is pretty excited about that sampler!

Let’s Talk Beer

The brewery had 4 beers tapped during my visit. We tasted a Kolsch, American Amber, American Pale Wheat Ale and an American IPA. All four of the fermenters were bubbling with four more beers, and they just released a Belgian on Thursday (10/30). With eight bright tanks directly connected to the 12 taps, the brewery hopes to offer something for everyone. “Even rootbeer for the kids,” added head brewer Tom Schufman as we watched a five-year-old and his mom play one of the games kept behind the bar.

“Are you family friendly here? You want kids to come in with their parents?” I asked.

“Absolutely!” agreed both Pete and Tom. “We’re not a bar. We want to be approachable and let our customers discover the awesomeness that is craft beer.” Appropriate that the former daycare building still embraces little ones.

Down the bar from me fellow patrons were talking to Taproom Manager, Dee DeLange. “Say I was here on a certain Sunday, around noon,” posed a customer, “Could I watch a certain local football game here?”

“You can,” replied Dee, pointing out the two HDTVs placed high on the wall behind the bar. Her answer raised cheers from the patrons, who were obviously Vikings fans.

It’s a small town vibe with easy accessibility to the Minneapolis/ St. Paul metropolitan area. Take highways 212, 5 or 7 west to get out here and see us on the corner of Maple & Main street. The beer is as fresh as the air out here, come see for yourself.